95 4x4 that needs serious maintenance. SUGGESTIONS?!?

Ive got a pdf of the full manual pm me your email addy if you want it

 

is there a breather on top of the tranny and t case? I took the shift boot and that metal plate off and noticed what seems to be a small metal cap that is sorta bent/crimped onto a valve. and the shifter is definelty worn bad. I didnt take it off to further inspect since I did not have any rpv to seal it back. I attached a pic of the shifter so this "breather" or whatever it is can be identified. sorry the pic is so small. The part I am talking about is the brass colored cap that is in front of each shifter. whatever it is, it seems to be leaking a small amount of fluid because there is shit caked all over the top of the tranny and tcase.

 

what do you mean by this? and the cab does have several drain holes but they have plugs in them that seem to be pretty solid.

 

That crimped looking cap should be the breather. Right below the cap there should be a nut. Apply wrench and remove. Find right size 90 degree fitting and relocate in the engine bay. It's probably not truly leaking per se, but over time 90 weight has been flung into it over time and slowly seeped out. Is it stinky?

That's exactly what I was talking about. Because you're linexing it (for ease of hosing out later) I would use the Heep Wrangler style of plugs so you can easily remove them for washing and draining purposes.

 

yeah the gunk caked all over the tranny and t case is super sticky and feels just like white lithium grease. And I will look into the plugs you are talking about.

 

I've received samples from these guys (disregard the color in the listing... they have tons of colors and different carpet options) and it's high quality stuff.

I like the idea that they don't box it until just prior to shipping so it doesn't get all bent out of shape, etc

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1995-2004-T...el:Tacoma&hash=item1e66227883&vxp=mtr&afsrc=1

 

well if I dont like the bedliner in the cab I guess I would just throw something like this on top of it. I would be out painting it on right now but its pissing rain I spent almost the entire day yesterday prepping the truck and sanding the shit out of everything to be bedlinered

 

And now there's an abundance of moisture in the air just making love to the bare metal

 

In case no one else mentioned it.

replace all fluids. antifreeze, oil, tranny, brakes, differential, grease bearings if applicable.

replace hoses, including heater hoses.

replace belts

 

Good call. I remember doing all if the vacuum lines. Found a kit that had them already cut to length, and they were red.

And, PCV valve.

 

Did anyone mention timing belt and water pump yet? Also, is your power steering pump whining at all?

 

The shifter slop is more than likely coming from a worn bushing the shifter sits on very common older yota problem. Marlin crawler has the bushing in a better material. U can use a hammer to remove the tie rods. Just take nut off and sternly strike it on the spindle where the tie rod connects.

 

Its in my garage lol

 

I just ordered the new bushings from marlin crawler and I had always thought the only way to remove tie rods was with a hammer. But I checked them out and they seem solid.

 

The power steering pump doesn't whine, already took care of the water pump, and damn the timing belt!! I thought it was not suppossed to be replaced on the 95-97 taco unless it breaks?

 

I will post pics of the bed lined cab when I get off work and to a computer, I think it looks pretty good for what its worth. I ended up using the harbor freight brand since it was $50 for a gallon

 

That picture I inserted on page one is what I always used. I just used it on my 2011 and was stoked to see it fit perfectly. I started out beating on the stud to get it out of the spindle, but that tool with an airgun on it makes very short work of it, especially if you've used anti-seize.

No-way Jose. The chain slowly stretches out over time, and the guides wear out as well. Most of the time it's the guides that fail first, but while you're in there might as well do it all. When I was still driving and wrenching on my 95 LC Engineering was my go-to for parts. http://www.lceperformance.com/3RZ-Street-Timing-Chain-Kit-Standard-2-7L-1995-200-p/1015088.htm

 

Well its looks like this truck project is a little more in-depth than I thought. But I am not going to give up on it unless its totaled beyond repair. Do you know of any good diy write ups on replacing the timing chain?

 

No, I haven't seen a single good thread on the timing chain. Use the Chiltons, it'll get you through.

This is the skinny, and why I recommend you get in there and do it now if your aim is to keep the truck at 100% and drive it forever:

The chain is designed to last for the "life of the engine", which is 250k according to the Toyota engineers. You're close to 200k. At a minimum you need to get in there and check the plastic guides/tensioners. More than likely they are closed to cooked. Chain failure is rare, but IMO that's because there aren't too many guys driving them well over 300k, which you have the opportunity to do. Myself, I'd do it at 200k (now) and call it good until the motor or truck disintegrates. Means a little bit of work, but you're also starting to get into the motor, which will reveal any problems or potential problems with the added benefit of replacing old seals/gaskets.

 

Yeah I plan to drive the truck for forever but want to keep it at 100% so I will definelty put this at the top of my "list" of stuff to do.